I really want an answer to this from people who are not reddit-brained libs. I have seen some good points elsewhere about this contributing to a cycle of abuse and control, causing parents to withdraw their kids from school to beg instead, etc., but if someone is desperate enough to humiliate themselves by begging on the street, shouldn't we give to them? Or should I feel bad that I did give to them?
Yes. I don't donate to charities or ngos. I give money directly to folks who ask for some help. Not 85% admin fees. No advocacy, no outreach, no "we must raise awareness". Much more efficient. At most venmo or whatever is scraping a few percent.
I'm in the us and i've never seen minors panhandling, so i can't speak to that. I've only ever seen adults.